Montini: A $30 million parade to Donald Trump's ego

Eager to show off American military might, President Donald Trump has tasked Pentagon planners to design an attention-grabbing parade in the nation’s capital bristling with warplanes, hulking vehicles, and marching uniformed service members.
Time

EJ Montini: Would it not be better to spend the money for Trump's military parade on programs that help veterans?

President Donald Trump salutes as he steps off Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. Trump is returning from a vacation to Bedminster, N.J.(Photo: Alex Brandon/AP)

The event will be held on Veteran’s Day and, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff will include troops dressed in uniforms dating back to the Revolutionary War.

But make no mistake.

It’s about Trump. And that is a tragedy.

The better way to spend the money

There is no doubt the money could be better spent improving health care for veterans, or purchasing new equipment for active military personnel, or raising their pay, or funding programs to assist the families of those who serve. Or any number of other things.

The president's Paris envy

Trump decided he wanted a military parade after seeing such a thing in France last summer.

An official from the Pentagon told the Washington Post, “The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France.”

The key word there is I.

I want.

The president’s office issued a statement early on saying that the reason for the parade is because “President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe.”

He should be, of course. We all should be.

But isn’t providing those service members with actual service more important than a parade?

Trump's imagined sense of bravery

As a young man Trump did everything he could to successfully avoid military service during the Vietnam War.